:
Quote from post by Atobe:
Why should this question remain ?
It is so simple to be answered, as each value our Life
differently.
Ask YOUR PARENTS how much is
enough if YOU lose your LIFE as a result of some USELESS and
SENSELESS ACCIDENT due to some operational co*ck-up ?
Response from Salman:
So how much do you think the govt shld compensate if 111k is not
enough?
Did you ask
YOUR PARENTS
if "111k is not enough" for your
death in the SAF - whether in war or some senseless accident
?
Posted by Salman
From post by Atobe:
The goal post has not been shifted, the argument remains the same -
it is all about the value in the sanctity of a Human Life - a Life
that is snuffed out due to some idiocy of some individual or system
that was lax in following, or did not follow operating
procedures.
Response from Salman:
If life is sanctity, why allow abortions?
You complained about shifting goal
posts when none occurred; are you now shifting goal posts in
talking about abortions ?
Abortions is about terminating a foetus - whose life form is
debatable at its medically abortable stage.
Death of an Adolescent or Adult HUMAN LIFE is a different subject
matter.
Losing one's life and dying in DEFENSE of the Country during WAR is
quite DIFFERENT from death due to some silly avoidable accident as
a result of someone's negligence, or a failure in diligently
exercising intelligent initiative and oversight.
Response from Salman:
Accidents are accidents, nobody wanted it. The guy who died in the
accident during training is no different from the guy who died
fighting in war. Both are doing their duty to serve the
country.
An ACCIDENT
during training is a result of human error, of human negligence due
to some stupidity or laziness in the execution of Operational
Procedures that has been thought out and made clear for all
training.
All deaths are unnecessary whether in times of training or
war.
Accidents during Training is SENSELESS and CAN BE AVOIDABLE if all
who are responsible WILL BE MORE DILIGENT in PERFORMING THEIR
TASKS.
Death during a fight in a War Zone, or on ACTIVE OPERATIONAL DUTY
is TOTALLY DIFFERENT from death caused by NEGLIGENCE.
The soldiers who died during TRAINING while learning to perform
rappelling from a hovering helicopter died a USELESS DEATH as a
result of human negligence.
The four female sailors of our RSN also died a USELESS and NEEDLESS
DEATH - as a result of error in Human Judgment in sea lane
navigation, but their death occurred during active operational
patrol.
If a SAF soldier is killed in East Timor or Iraq, his death may not
be necessary if operational procedures were diligently followed.
However, the death is an Honorable Death in sacrifice to a Nation's
call to Duty - although not in defense of Singapore
All the deaths in these different scenarios are needless, with only
the Life of the soldier in a HOT ZONE being most at risk, as the
situation is not within his control. He will need to put all his
training in practise to avoid being killed by either a single
bullet from a sniper determined to kill him, or from a squad
waiting in ambush.
The different circumstances of death may lessen the burden to come
into psychological acceptance of the death that has occurred.
Unfortunately, no monetary amount can be sufficient to compensate
the life that is lost.
Without any long Military History of our own, nor any experience of
our Military being at war, we could draw on the experience of other
countries such as UK, USA, and France.
The US Military has a comprehensive package that looks after the
surviving members of a soldier killed, and it ranges from immediate
cash outlay to help tide over a short period, extend existing
privileges for a short period (180 days), State Benefits in terms
of Tax Reliefs, Soldier's Group Life Insuance that pays out a
minimum sum of US$200,000, Survivor Benefit Plan,
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Plan, Social Security Lump
sum Death Payment, Medical Benefits, Commissary Privileges.
As much as a sacrifice has been made with a Son lost, the Country
a.k.a the Singapore Government (regardless of political parties)
should also look after the family or families who have sacrificed
their sons and daughters in defense of the Country - whether in
training, or on operational duty, or in times of war.
The monetary compensation amount is not - and should not be - made
as a form of payment for a life lost, but to assist the Family to
overcome the burden of supporting themselves for the future.
Read:
US Military - Casualty Benefits
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blcasualty.htm
